RCtheSS

I always assumed most official transcripts have watermarks. You followed the instructions exactly as stated, so I would not worry about it. So long as the transcript information is legible, admissions should be able to understand.

Agreed with Gvh--your scores are very competitive as is. Do not stress yourself over them further!

I recommend contacting the admissions office of the schools you're applying to. State that you read that GRE scores are not required, but ask if they will accept your scores as supplementary application materials. You can start sending your scores to schools right now if you wanted, but I would double-check with admissions to be on the look-out for them, since they already state that the GRE is not required.

If anything, some of us could use your input since you've already completed your applications!

Agh, I had Penn's MSSP degree on my list for the longest time! And now they have a Data Analytics focus? I may need to take a quadruple look... d'oh! I'm a PPIA Fellow and receive application fee waivers to members of PPIA's consortium schools, which unfortunately Penn is not part of.

I narrowed down my list in intervals. First I had a master list of 16 schools with no intention of applying to all of them. Then I narrowed that list down to 8 and kept revolving one or two programs until I decided to focus on a dual degree option. So now I have 6 schools on my final list, but it amounts to 12 separate applications.

I've honestly been putting this step off for too long. I feel certain about my research areas and can attest to them thanks to my work experience, but I really need to stop putting my thoughts down onto paper. Plus, I also need to write separate SOPs for social work programs and they'll be looking for completely different sets of answers from me. I've organized and read all the different essay prompts, just need to hop to it!

Now you're talking!! That's a great outlook to have!

I wanted to bump this topic for any other Fall 2016 applicants lurking around! Also, I have an update to my original post... Favorite programs: I have (again and again and again) changed my list of programs to focus on dual MPP/MSW degree options. This will be my definitive list for the rest of the application cycle: UCLA University Chicago University of Michigan University of Minnesota University of Texas - Austin University of Washington What have you done up to this point to narrow down your choices?: Princeton, Duke and Cornell have excellent MPP/MPA programs, but I realized that having the MSW education is really important to me so I chucked the schools that didn't have the option! Now I'm on to sending out my GRE scores, securing my last LOR, and getting my resume and SOPs critiqued.

Dang, you've already got your apps submitted? Good on you! I was just putting together a to-do list for my MPP/MSW applications. Still need to secure one more LOR, get approval for fee waivers, draft my SOPs... I'm not behind schedule at the moment, but I need to stay on top of things.

You're welcome! Since you have the option, I would definitely arrange to meet in person; I prefer to discuss face-to-face what I've been up to and to explain where I'm trying to go. Best of luck with your applications.

I've already started contacting my professors to give them a heads up about LORs. I'm also out of undergrad, but I flew back down to my undergrad university over Labor Day weekend and met with a professor during office hours to catch up and discuss my career goals. It's definitely not too soon to ask them.

Isn't this something you can ask your adviser or other department faculty/staff about? Or perhaps the student handbook or policy guidelines outline the procedure for taking courses outside one's department?

This depends greatly on which area(s) of policy/administration you would like to study. You didn't provide much specifics to give any detailed recommendations.

Your scores are well within the range for most well-known MPP/MPA programs. If you haven't already, look into the admissions sites for the schools you're considering to find their average scores for incoming students. You can also check the Results List on this website to see how other applicants have fared with their scores and GPA. Work experience is definitely a plus as well. Don't forget to hone in on your interests and goals as they relate to each program in your SoP!

I retake the GRE next Saturday, so I know what you two are going through right about now. In hindsight I really didn't need to retake it, but meh. These SoP questions on the MSW apps are much more daunting to me. Each program's essay requirements seem quite different from each other, so trying to write a "generic" response while tailoring it to each school will longer than anticipated. At least the MPP application essays seem more standardized--and with small word limits.

Maybe it would help to start referring to yourself as an adult!

There have been a couple Fall 2016 threads made some months ago, but they haven't been bumped recently. I'll be applying to MPP/MSW programs at the following schools: -UCLA -University of Chicago -University of Michigan -University of Minnesota -University of Texas-Austin -University of Washington After going back and forth on my list all year, I am sticking to these schools for the rest of the app cycle!

I'm using the desktop version and haven't seen signatures either since the update.

High school class rings were very popular in my area. A majority of my graduating class bought one. I was tempted to get an undergraduate class ring but I decided not to at the last minute; the money was better spent on eventual moving costs. Definitely don't see myself getting one at the graduate level.

Florida State University offers an MPA program that also has dual degree options. Currently tied for 16th on U.S. News if that means something to you. There are also more within the state of Florida (UCF, USF, FIU, FAU) but I suppose you're looking at top 50 when you say "quality programs".

According to my practice questions, I'm bombing my GRE prep so far. I bit the bullet and rescheduled the test date, pushing it another month away. Guess that also gives me some more time to attempt a rough-as-hell draft of an SOP...

I work in DC and live alone in Dupont Circle--if I didn't have the joys of familial connections there is no way I could afford it. When I first relocated to the region I lived in PG County, MD. Got tired of that metro trip pretty quickly, and now I can walk to work and to most stores I need to get to.

All I can say is, welcome to the DMV region and its exorbitant cost of living!

Speaking as a fellow 2016 applicant, I only feel comfortable answering your second question. Your age is totally fine and actually falls within the range of most students attending MPP/MPA programs. For example, Duke Sanford claims its age range is 24-32, and Cornell CIPA's average age is 26.